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Apr 28, 2024

Erie Marathon at Presque Isle Runner Comments

Back to Erie Marathon at Presque Isle Information & Reviews

Course 4.6

Organization 4.7

Spectators 3.5

Number of comments: 255 [displaying comments 61 to 71]

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P. B. from London, Ontario (9/20/2011) "A wonderful marathon experience" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I love small marathons and I don't need lots of spectator support to keep me going - except maybe in the last 3 miles. As there were water stops approximately every mile there was enough cheering to keep me going. The organizers do a wonderful job at this marathon and the volunteers are incredible. The pasta dinner was full value for $10 and was the best pasta dinner I've had at a marathon. Having the pasta sauce cooking while you are picking up your race packet is a good way to sell tickets for the dinner. I stayed at the Inn at Presque Isle and the staff there were extremely helpful and friendly. A previous commenter had written that his Garmin read 26.39 at the finish. Mine did too and I thought that I hadn't run the tangents properly but I qualified for Boston so I was happy anyway. My only concern with the race is the timing - right in the middle of the Boston registration process. So if I don't get in this year my time would be no good for next year.
Sanjay Mohanta from Ottawa, ON (9/20/2011) "Great Small Race! Will do again!" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This was my 31st marathon and I loved it! It was very, very well organized, inexpensive and very flat. They made me feel welcome with the CDN anthem at the start and the location at the State Park was nice. Erie has a lot to offer including a Kangaroo experience at the zoo and gun shaped mall built by the mob! My only complaint was no Gatorade on the course and maybe more signage to the parking lot after the race. But a great experience.
S. F. from State College, PA (9/19/2011) "Cheap, fast, and beautiful." (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Erie was my tenth marathon, and one of my favorites. We had perfect weather this year (55-60 degrees with a breeze), and the flat, two-loop course was beautiful. Packet pick-up was efficient, the pasta dinner (right at the packet pick-up location, which is also the location of the start/finish line) was delicious, and for my $40 registration fee (!) I got a nice cottony-feeling long-sleeved tech shirt with no ads on the back (only on the sleeves), a pair of Erie Marathon 2011 socks, and a tote bag. Very nice! With aid stations almost every mile, and a spectator friendly course (my husband saw me four times without having to move more than a tenth of a mile), I felt completely supported while running. There weren't a lot of spectators (and the race was small enough that I was running alone frequently), but the ones who were there were great. I don't usually run with an ipod, but I did this time in anticipation of some lonely spots (and I was happy that I had it). The medal was a lovely ceramic piece that could be used as a trivet, I think. Great race, fantastic swag, and a nice BQ (BQ-8, in fact).
Joe O'Connor from Sterling MA, USA (9/19/2011) "Great clubrun small marathon" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a great small club run marathon. The course is almost completely flat, the conditions were perfect. The race organizers were friendly and they know their stuff. The water stops were fun and entertaining. The only slight gotcha was that 1/2 marathoners were wandering around the finish line area a bit too much. But really, overall this is a great experience. I will be back!
R. K. from Erie, PA (9/18/2011) "Great race, well organized, reasonably priced" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Erie Marathon at Presque Isles COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Positive: This is a nice little marathon. Its small enough that packet pick-up and day of race parking are a breeze. The registration is 'cheap' compared to most other marathons. Course support is excellent - there are aid stations every mile and the course is pancake flat. Negative: The course is a double loop and the fan support is non-existent for long stretches.
K. M. from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1/11/2011) "Wonderful Race!!!" (about: 2010) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it was a great experience. No long lines to pick up the race packet. Very organized. Friendly people. Enthusiastic volunteers. There were aid stations every mile with lots of help. The volunteers at the aid stations were fun and energetic, always giving lots of encouragement. There were volunteers at every turn so no one would go the wrong way. They also were always shouting out encouragement. I will definitely do this race again.
Mervyn Chin from Pickering Ont (12/26/2010) "Awsome race - just do it" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Erie Marathon at Presque Isles COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I know a lot runners read this website and comments before deciding on a race. I do. I will give you an unbiased and informed opinion on the Erie race. If you read the runners' comments on this website carefully for ALL races, then about 90 % of them will give the marathon that they just completed a rating from fair to excellent, so this presents a problem what is a good race. The high percentage is due to (a) a marathon is quite an achievement so runners give credit to the race (b) a lot of runners have not completed many different marathons to give a good opinion (c) expectations are all different. I will tell you I have now completed 58 marathon in many different cities/town. Just check this website to see some of the races. Plus, I read a lot of the marathon websites. To start with, the directors of this race are excellent and down-to-earth, and they care a lot about the runners, unlike some of the big races like NYC or Chicago. They will respond to any query within a reasonable time. This race has to be one of the cheapest in the world and for that you get a good, long-sleeve, technical shirt and cap (2010) to match the shirt, plus a reusable bag. The packet pickup is small, no-hassle, and there are about 3 vendors at pickup in the park . (I personally like a big expo since it allows me to pass some time before the race.) The course involves two laps around a lake, so it is fairly scenic and very flat - as you can imagine. I once saw deer crossing the roads. There is an awesome pasta dinner the night before - at $10, I believe. You will not regret taking it. Could not ask for any better. It is a bit dark going to the race because it is in a park, but the race starts a bit after the sun rises so there are no problems. If you are lucky you will see the sun as it rises over the lake. I think the race and the park have enough porta-potties for all. There were enough water stations, plus a point for gels on the course. The medal was a glass medal in 2009; I'm not sure what was available in 2010. The finish line food was the very best by far that I have ever gotten at any race. No, I do not go to races for food or swag or anything, since I could stay home and buy these items and save myself a lot of money. However, if I am going to do a race, it would be nice to have these amenities. The finish line had real Subway subs, drinks, fruit, chips, cookies and on and on. You will never go hungry here. There were a lot of subs left over also for the velocity-challenged. If the weather is good, you can take a dip in the lake. There were not a lot of spectators, so if this is your thing, you will be disappointed. Bring your friends and family and they will be your best cheerleaders. Another advantage of Erie is that it is about 45 minutes away from Grove City and the outlet malls with no taxes. I could compare this race to races like NYC, Chicago, etc., but everything I have said about Erie race is the complete opposite in terms of costs, expo, spectators, etc. I plan to do the 2011 race but father time and an operation are catching up to me. I specifically have my name on these comments because if I have said anything that you do not find to be true in the race or when you do the race, then write and tell me. I believe the race might have a time limit from the park, and if you are a walker or velocity-challenged - within 6 and half hours - I suggest you contact the directors to see if something could be worked out since it is in a park and you can walk on the path. I love this race and you would too, if you did it.
J. K. from Boulder, Colorado (11/13/2010) "Good First-Marathon Experience" (about: 2010) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Likes: I grew up in Erie and came from Colorado to run my first marathon. Overall, I had a great experience and learned a lot. The weather was great and the spectators and volunteers were fabulous. Dislikes: However, my Garmin read 26.39 at the finish; did anyone else have it long? I would also like to see something other than HEED at the race - and maybe some flat Coke.
Ken Kaminski from Apollo Pa. (10/1/2010) "Enjoyable race!" (about: 2010) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 It was my 2nd marathon and I thought is was great! Nice course with great water stations. Will try to run this one again.
T. S. from Maryland (9/26/2010) "A Great, Small Marathon" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Erie Marathon at Presque Isles COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my second Erie and I was not disappointed after driving six hours to get there. The race is so well organized that there is no pre-race stress created by getting your packet, attending the dinner, or browsing the modest expo. Plus, all of these things take place at the start and finish, so if you want to check out the course, it is very easy to do. Race instructions at the start were inaudible, and so I was surprised to hear the gun go off. Once on the course, though, it is easy to develop a rhythm. I think the best part of this race is an aid station every single mile on the course. As a fan of Hammer products, I am very happy with HEED and Hammer Gel. Plus, since there is a contest for the best aid station, the volunteers are extra supportive, which is appreciated on the second lap around. My only complaint this year was a long line for Subway sandwiches, which surprised me considering I came in among the top 10%, but I assume there were half-marathoners in line. I suggest the directors find a better way to offer post-race food for marathon finishers. I ended up bagging the Subway, but was happy to find a really good "diner" in Erie later. The Inn at Presque Isle is a great, cheap place to stay. They offer all marathoners a 3:00 p.m. checkout, a marathon welcome bag at check-in, and great water pressure in the shower. I came with a friend who ran the half, and I was glad he offered to drive most of the way home. Fortunately, I had run a good race and was content to withstand the many hours in the car. I highly recommend this race if you like small, good-value marathons.

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